Building the foundation for an American mathematical community: The Bowditch generation, 1800--1838.

Abstract

The first third of the nineteenth century was an important period for the development of American mathematics: Nathaniel Bowditch emerged as a new leader with an international reputation; general topic scientific journals filled a void by publishing mathematical papers until permanent mathematical journals were established later in the century; and American mathematicians began to turn away from the British-dominated mathematical philosophy of their past and to turn towards the modern mathematical approach as represented by the French textbook authors. Each of these factors contributed to a work-in-progress as American mathematicians struggled to build a foundation upon which a research community would form.